EURO 2016 update from Lille

Jacques Lambert, Chairman of the UEFA EURO 2016 steering group told the latest meeting of the group in Lille:

We examined the state of progress of the ten stadiums … and globally, we are advancing very well. We also discussed details about various issues, such as the search for team bases. We are working to maximise the social and economic consequences of this EURO tournament in France. Everything is moving forward in the best way.

FFF president Noël Le Graët added:

France was considerably behind as far as stadiums were concerned. I think that in the next two years, we will have partly made up for lost time. This EURO is a wonderful opportunity for France.

UEFA, which holds all the competition rights, and the FFF, which in particular is responsible for the safety and security of the event, have set up a joint venture, EURO 2016 SAS, to which they have delegated responsibility for the operational organisation of the finals. EURO 2016 SAS is a company under French law, with the legal form of a simplified joint stock company, owned 95% by UEFA and 5% by the FFF. Its registered head office is in Paris. Its expenses will be financed entirely by UEFA.

The steering group, which had its inaugural meeting in April 2011, comprises the key stakeholders in the organisation of the event: UEFA, the French Football Federation (FFF), the French government and the host cities.

Valérie Fourneyron assured the organisers of full government support, and added: “We have been able to discover this fine stadium [in Lille] – the first new stadium to be built afresh. I would also like to take this opportunity to remind you of France’s great pride in hosting this competition, and the mobilisation taking place at the highest state levels to ensure that we deliver the quality that our country is known for in staging major sports events.”

The mayor of Lille, Martine Aubry, welcomed the steering group’s meeting in the city and described UEFA EURO 2016 as “an extraordinary adventure”. “EURO 2016 is a great opportunity for our country,” she said. “France, and especially the French people, will derive benefit.”

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